New York Jets: Sam Darnold observations from Falcons game

Here are quick observations of the play of Sam  Darnold from Friday night’s game between the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons.

The future has begun for the New York Jets as Sam Darnold made his debut Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Let’s talk about some quick observations with the rookie:

• The game wasn’t too big for him. Darnold stepped right in during the second quarter and immediately was effective. He took over for Teddy Bridgewater and hit the first two passes that he threw. He looked in command, not like a kid caught up in his debut.
• He got that first TD pass in early:

• Darnold can really throw on the move. The touchdown pass was just one example. He has the awareness to know when to get out of the pocket, but he doesn’t immediately pull it down and run. He keeps his up looking down field and can make an accurate throw when a receiver comes open.
• He makes good reads. This is something very unique for a rookie. Yes, it was preseason looks that he saw, but he wasn’t fooled by them. Darnold made the correct read virtually every single time and sent his pass to the open man.
• He had command of the huddle. Sam Darnold did not look like a young man directing that huddle. No, obviously we are not IN that huddle, but you can tell as you watch. Darnold understands the offense, he knew what needed to be done and went out and did it. You can’t ask for much more.
• Darnold was responsible with the football. This goes hand in hand with making good reads to a point, but it is even more. He took what the defense gave him. In the fourth, he pulled the ball down and took a sack instead of trying to throw it up for grabs. Good for him.

• His accuracy with the deep ball? If there was any negative at all, there were a couple of deep passes that weren’t perfect. One was a tight window where a completion would have been tough for anyone, and one may have been from a miscommunication with Trenton Cannon.

His final stat line for the night was as follows:

13-18, 96 yards, one touchdown.

It’s only one game, so it’s not exactly time to send Darnold to Canton, Ohio just yet. The offense did stall a little bit in the second half. Overall, Jets fans have to be pleased.

Darnold looked like a guy that could run this football team. Next week they head to Washington to race the Redskins. He began to check off the boxes Friday night. Let’s see if he can continue to check them off next week.